Shree Rishabhdev Bhagwan: Birth to Nirvana of the First Tirthankara

We have already read about the past lives of Lord Rishabhdev Bhagwan. Bhagwan Rishabhdev established asi, masi, and krishi to help people sustain their lives. Not only that, but He also laid the foundation for judicial system, women's education, and the science of numbers (mathematics). Despite being a woman, Mata Marudevi attained Keval Gnan (Absolute Knowledge) merely through the darshan of the Lord, which is considered a great wonder. Bhagwan’s son, King Bharat Chakravarti, ruled the kingdom while remaining inwardly detached, guided by the Akram Gnan given by the Lord. Now, let us read in detail the life story of Lord Rishabhdev, from His birth to His Nirvana.

Upon completion of the lifespan at SarvaarthSiddhi Anuttar Vimaan, Lord Rishabhadev was born to Queen Marudevi in the city of Ayodhya in Bharat Kshetra. His father, King Nabhi, was a Kulkar. Mother Marudevi had 14 divine dreams that night. By principle, prior to the birth of a Tirthankara, His Mother gets these 14 clear dreams.

The celestial beings informed Kulkar Nabhi that Marudevi is going to give birth to a Tirthankara. All the celestial beings were very happy; they used to stay besides the mother to serve her. The female celestial beings asked many spiritual questions to Mata Marudevi on various topics, which are as

• Which is the best jewel in this world?
  Right Vision (Samyak Darshan) is the best jewel.
• Of all births, which one is considered to be successful?
  The birth in which one attains the state of Soul is the successful one.
• Who is the better-most woman?
  The woman from whose womb a Tirthankara is born is the best.
• Whom do we call deaf?
  One who does not listen to the words of omniscient God (Jin-vachan)
• Which work ought to be done at the earliest?
  It is to discard illusory attachment (moh).
• Whose worship should be done?
  Of Panch Parmeshti Bhagwants and of one’s own Pure Soul
• Which human being is said to be like an animal?
  One who doesn’t attain the right belief (Samyak Darshan) of ‘I am pure Soul’
• Who is seated in your womb right now?
  The Guru of the world (meaning whose influence on the world has the power to transform it) Rishabhdev Bhagwan, who is the first Tirthankara!

The main reason why Marudevi could answer all these questions was because Tirthankara Bhagwan was in her womb.

Birth and Childhood

At the time of the birth of Lord Rishabhadev, all Indras (from Devlok) came joyfully in their planes to celebrate the Lord's birth. The celestial beings bowed down before the Lord. Thereafter, placing an exact replica of the Lord besides the mother, they took the real baby on the Meru mountain and ceremoniously performed the post-birth ritual of consecration by sprinkling water, also known as abhishek. Such a unique event (the Lord’s birth ceremony) in the world is known as Tirthankara Bhagwan's Janma Kalyanak! His childhood was spent with his father very lovingly and happily.

Marriage and Ruling Reign

Being a Tirthankar, the Lord had Mati Gnan, Shrut Gnan and Avadhi Gnan right from birth. So, He did not take time in learning any new skill or wisdom. Bhagwan Rishabhdev, during His childhood, learned all the skills. Upon reaching the age suitable for marriage, His father requested Him to get married. Although not interested at all, He agreed just to fulfil the father’s wish.

The marriage of Lord Rishabhdev got fixed with Sumangala and Sunanda. In the marriage ceremony held by the celestial beings, Lord Rishabhdev got married to Sumangala and Sunanda. In due course, Queen Sumangala gave birth to twins, a son named Bharat and a daughter called Brahmi. Later, she gave birth to 98 more sons. On the other hand, Queen Sunanda also gave birth to twins, a son named Bahubali and a daughter called Sundari. Before the birth of her son Bharat, Queen Sumangala had seen 14 unclear dreams. This was a sign that the son she would give birth to would be a Chakravati.

Since that was a Yuglik era, people lived a simple and noble life. At that time, there was no need for any kingdom or a king. However, gradually, during the second half of the third aara, people started seeing faults of others and began to become the victims of anger, pride, deceit, and greed. Therefore, the need arose for a king who could settle the differences. On the request of Kulkar Nabhi, Rishabhdev became the first king of the third aara.

With the passage of time, slowly the number of wish-granting trees called Kalpavrukshas started reducing and fruits and vegetables were being available only in limited quantities. As a result, people started eating grains like raw wheat and rice. They did not know how to cook grains. Eating raw food began to affect their health. Therefore, they went to Lord Rishabhdev for help. He then taught them how to use fire to cook food. He also taught people other skills like farming and various businesses.

With the passage of time, as physical, mental, and oral battles began to occur amongst people, King Rishabhdev established a penal system by establishing a framework of laws and regulations to prevent all these crimes. He made arrangements so that people can become self-sufficient in the worldly activities. For the people’s welfare, He gave the knowledge of asi (swordsmanship for protection), masi (trading and business) and krishi (agriculture). The Lord also gave them the knowledge of various other skills and crafts.

Gradually, people started to live a civilized life. Thereafter, He made arrangements so that the kingdom could run smoothly. He even introduced the system of women education. Lord taught alphabets and Mathematics to His daughters, Brahmi and Sundari, who were extremely intelligent and capable.

Bhagwan Rishabhdev continued to impart knowledge for thousands of years. Seeing this, the celestial beings got worried. They wished that the Lord’s attention should come out of these things and lead people towards salvation.

Diksha

Once, for a dance in the Lord’s assembly, Indra Dev arranged for a celestial being (Devi) whose life was about to end soon. When the Lord was watching the dance, the dancer suddenly disappeared. Now, Lord Rishabhdev was with Mati Gnan, Shrut Gnan and Avadhi Gnan. When He saw in Gnan, He realized that at the time of dance, the celestial being’s lifespan got over. Seeing this, He developed tremendous detachment and recognized that all this is temporary; nothing in this world is permanent.

Finally, the goal of going to Moksha and taking millions of people along with Him arose in Him. Thereafter, He decided to transfer all his responsibilities to His sons and take Diksha. This was how the Lord’s intent was - to reach the state of Omniscience and consequently show the path of disciplined life and spiritual practices to people as well.

Lord Rishabhdev divided the kingdom among His 100 sons. King Bharat was given the prime throne and Bahubaliji also was given another big state. His other 98 sons and 4000 ransom kings of His kingdom, too, took Diksha from Lord Rishabhdev. One of the Lord’s sons became His Ganadhar (the chief disciple of the Tirthankara). After taking Diksha, the Lord, along with His Sangh, started walking in the jungle without eating any food or consuming water and practiced severe austerities.

Lord’s other austerity was silence. During Diksha, He remained silent most of the time. When the Lord’s disciples would face any difficulty, they would ask Him about it, but no answer would come from Him, as he was silent. After taking Diksha, Lord Rishabhdev fasted for one year; this austerity is called Varsitap. People in those times had no knowledge of breaking the fast (known as Paarnu). Bahubaliji’s grandson, Shreyans, was religious-minded and clever. He realized that the Lord was without food and water for one year. Therefore, he offered sugarcane juice to Lord Rishabhdev to help break His Varsitap fast. After breaking the Varsitap fast, the Lord broke His silence too.

Keval Gnan to Tirthankara Adinath Bhagwan

When Lord Rishabhdev attained Keval Gnan (Omniscience), for a moment, eternal bliss got spread in the whole world. Numerous celestial Gods and Goddesses descended from the celestial world to bow down to the Tirthankara. The Gods set up the grand Samovasaran.

After attaining Keval Gnan, Bhagwan Rishabhdev gave Deshna. The celestial Gods arrange the Samovasaran in such a way that people can see the Lord’s face from all four sides. All types of people – the poor, the rich, the king and his masses – all of them sit in the Lord’s Samovasaran.

Where the Lord’s Samovasaran is formed, upto 500 yojan, there is no draught or illness – such is His influence. Animals like cat, lion and goat forget their violent intentions and they sit together in the Samovasaran without any fear. There, all birds and animals (tiryanch beings) sit fearlessly and understand the Lord’s speech in their own language. Such was the influence of Lord Rishabhdev’s speech. After Keval Gnan, Lord’s Deshna transforms people’s hearts. Many, by just listening to His divine speech, while many, by doing only His darshan, attain Keval Gnan.

This side, King Bharat became a Chakravarti, and at the same time, He got the news of His father, Tirthankar Rishabhdev Bhagwan, attaining Keval Gnan. Upon getting this news, Chakravarti Bharat, along with the Lord’s mother Mata Marudevi, His entire family and His masses, went to bow down to the Lord. Marudevi Mata had lost her vision due to the pain of living without her son. Her grandson King Bharat and the celestial beings described to her the significance of Rishabhdev as a Tirthankara Bhagwan. On hearing all this, great reverence arose in the heart of the mother and tears of happiness rolled down her eyes.

As Marudevi came more closer to the Lord, listening to His speech full of detachment, her blindness shed and she did darshan of the Lord. The moment, Marudevi did darshan of the Lord, she attained Keval Gnan. Due to her light karmas, from Nigod, she was born to be a Tirthankara’s mother, and after doing the darshan of the Omniscient Lord, she went directly to Moksha. There were no other births in between for her. As per the Jain scriptures, Marudevi Mata, despite being a woman, went to Moksha - this is considered to be one of the 10 wonders of the spiritual world. She became the first to attain liberation in the third aara.

In Deshna, Lord Rishabhdev described the six elements, the significance of Moksha, what and how is Soul (Atma). Lord’s two daughters, Brahmi and Sundari, also had taken Diksha.

Lord Rishabhdev had entrusted only King Bahubaliji and Chakravarti King Bharat to run the kingdom (and not to take Diksha). Upon seeing the Lord’s glory, in Chakravarti Bharat too, rose the desire to take Diksha. However, the Lord advised Him to fulfil His responsibilities as a Chakravarti while following the Shravak Dharma. To King Bharat, He gave such Gnan (Self-Realization) that thereafter, even while fulfilling all his worldly responsibilities and ruling over the kingdom, He could go to Moksha. Thus, through Lord’s words, He attained Samyak Drashti and got Akram Vignan. This is how Chakravarti King Bharat fulfilled all His responsibilities with Right Vision (Samyak Drashti).

Keval Gnan to King Bharat Chakravati in the Palace of Mirrors

Once Bharat Chakravati was sitting in His palace made up of mirrors. Just then, a ring fell from His finger. The king looked at His hand, but He didn’t like seeing the finger without the ring at all. Then, He started removing all His ornaments, such as the crown, earrings, and necklace from His body. He realized that it is these ornaments and makeup on the basis of which the beauty stands. That’s how His wrong knowledge shed, the veils of ignorance and body-consciousness moved, and He attained Keval Gnan in the palace of mirrors.

This is the biggest history regarding attaining Keval Gnan through Akram Vignan. Right from the time Lord gave Samyak Drashti to King Bharat until Keval Gnan, He was extremely vigilant. To maintain this awareness, King Bharat had instructed His gatekeepers around to remind Him frequently at small intervals, “Bharat, beware! Bharat, be warned; remain cautious.” Finally, King Bharat completed His worldly life and attained Moksha in that birth only.

Keval Gnan to Bhagwan Bahubaliji

During the reign of Bharat Chakravarti, there’s a nice story of His brother, Bahubaliji. Gem-like human beings full of virtues were born in the family of Lord Rishabhadev. Like His name, Bahubali was extremely strong. The strength in His arms was so tremendous that nobody could defeat Him in a battle.

Bharat Chakravarti was the Lord’s first son and Bahubali was second in number. Being the first son, Lord Rishabhdev gave the prime responsibility of the kingdom to King Bharat. Giving Bahubaliji a smaller kingdom, He took Diksha and left for the jungles. As King Bharat was a Chakravarti, He won over six continents (khands) and made all the kings subservient to him.

Bahubaliji was the only one who did not agree to surrender to Him. Due to the clash of egos, difference of opinions developed between Bharat Chakravarti and Bahubaliji. Consequently, a war occurred between the two. Knowing that a lot of lives would be lost in the war, the celestial beings requested not to involve the soldiers and confine the war to a fight just between the two of them. So, it was decided that whoever wins the physical battle of wrestling would become a Chakravarti. Bahubaliji won all the rounds against King Bharat.

Finally, in a fierce mood, Bahubaliji raised His fist to kill King Bharat. However, suddenly, a thought triggered in Bahubaliji’s mind, “Ohh! What am I doing? Such a severe sin! I am about to kill my own brother?” There was so much strength in Bahubaliji’s fist that upon hitting anybody, that person would die immediately. However, as Bahubaliji realized that the rule of Chakravarti is all temporary and the Soul alone is permanent, He experienced tremendous detachment and attained Self-Realization. However, as He had not attained Keval Gnan yet, some ego was still left in Him due to which he could not simply put His fist down. Therefore, while bringing His fist down, He pulled His hair. He renounced the world, adopted the words of the Lord and went toward the jungle.

In going to the Lord and taking Diksha, His ego came in his way based on the passion of false pride (maan Kashay) He had. On the Kramic path, the rule is such that after taking Diksha, one has to bow down before all Monks who are elder to Him in status (i.e., those who have taken Diksha prior to Him).

He was not ready to go to Rishabhdev, thinking that according to the rule, He would have to bow down before His 98 young brothers, as they had already taken Diksha from Lord Rishabhdev before Him. So, Bahubaliji decided that He would go to the Lord only after he attains Keval Gnan. Until then, He will do austerities and attain Keval Gnan on his own. He performed such severe austerities that trees started growing over and around His body; other than His eyes and nose to breathe, the remaining body got hidden behind the trees.

Lord Rishabhdev, by seeing in Keval Gnan, came to know that Bahubali would not achieve Keval Gnan because of His false ego. This is because to attain Keval Gnan, no matter how many austerities one performs, it does not help when laden with ego; for that, one needs the grace of a Self-Realized fully Enlightened being. To bring down Bahubaliji’s intoxicated ego and give Him the right understanding, Lord Rishabhdev sent His daughters, Brahmi and Sundari, to preach Him. Brahmi and Sundari went to Bahubaliji and very humbly said, “Brother! Get off the elephant.” Bahubaliji thought over it, “In this jungle, there is no elephant; and I am standing on the ground.” As He thought deeply, He could see His ultimate mistake, “I am seated on the elephant, meaning ego. I am seated on the elephant of maan Kashay and this ego only is preventing me from going to the Lord.” With this right understanding, as He raised his step to meet the Lord, He attained Keval Gnan. Just by changing his understanding, He attained Keval Gnan.

Nirvana of Tirthankara Adinath Bhagwan

After completing the lifespan. Lord Rishabhdev along with several Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shraavaks, and Shaavikas attained Nirvana from the Asthapad Mountain.